Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Participants refer to individuals who voluntarily take part in psychological studies by providing data through various means such as surveys, interviews, observations, or experimental tasks.
A subset of individuals selected from a larger population in such a way that each member has an equal chance of being included, ensuring representativeness.
Demand Characteristics: Cues or subtle hints within a study that may unintentionally influence participants' behavior or responses.
Participant Bias: When participants consciously or unconsciously alter their behavior or responses based on what they believe the researcher wants or expects.